Dharamshala: The younger generation has the opportunity to contribute to a happier world said Nobel Peace Laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he met with 28 youth peace builders from 14 countries of conflict at his residence today. This is the third annual dialogue with youth peace-builders drawn from countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The annual dialogue series is a collaboration between USIP and His Holiness the Dalai Lama which aims to strengthen the abilities of young leaders working to build peace in the world’s most conflict regions. This year’s youth leaders came from 14 countries, including Syria, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Somalia, Colombia, Nigeria and seven others.
His Holiness’ remarks weighed heavily on the increasing use of violence and advocated for a greater role of youth and education in the transformation towards peace.
He stressed his conviction that education is the key to changing people’s way of thinking.
“The only hope to create a more peaceful future,” His Holiness attested, “is through a more holistic education in which knowledge of materialistic values, physical and emotional health are integrated.”
“The hygiene of physical is already in our education. Now we need to include hygiene of emotion in a secular education system.”
He argued that relying on the religious system of moral won’t appeal to everyone.
His Holiness also expressed his profound admiration for the ancient Indian knowledge for its contribution toward the understanding of the human mind and the imbibing of practices to tackle negative emotions.
He announced that a new curriculum combining the ancient Indian knowledge which focusses inner peace and wisdom with the modern education that brings physical comfort is being implemented in various educational institutes across the country.
“If you want inner peace, you should come to India. Come here and study modern education and ancient knowledge but if you want more dollars, then you should go to the US or Europe,” he told them.
Urging a greater sense of oneness and understanding, His Holiness said, “7 billion human beings have to coexist on this planet. Future of the east, west and north and south depending on each other. A national boundary is not so relevant given the new problems such as global warming and climate change.”
“As human brothers and sisters, we have this brilliant intelligence and on top of that, we share an innate compassionate nature… As you witness more and more suffering, use it as an opportunity to strengthen your determination and willpower,” His Holiness said as he fielded questions from the young delegates.
“Those of you who belong to the 21st century must work to make a happier world. You have the opportunity and the responsibility to do this. To start with you have to cultivate inner peace.”
Member of the youth leaders asking a question to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the first day of the dialogue at His Holiness’ residence on 24 October 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
United States Institute of Peace youth leaders asking a question to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the dialogue, 24 October 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA